What’s the penalty for taking a drink outside a bar?

Q: I’ve been told you can go to jail if you take a beer outside the bar you ordered it from. Is that true?

A: If you accidentally walk out of a bar with a bottle of beer in your hand it’s unlikely you’ll go to jail. However, that could be another story if you have warrants or commit a criminal act.

In the beer bottle scenario, the person running the bar will likely face a more serious punishment than the person who leaves with a drink.

Though there are exceptions, a bar staff member could face a misdemeanor charge. Scenarios are detailed in section of 314-11-065 of the Washington Administrative Code.

If a patron paid for the bottle of beer, police say by leaving he or she would be violating section 66.44.100 of the Revised Code of Washington, which covers open containers and consuming liquor in a public place.

The fine for violating the open container law is $27, police spokesman Mark Jamieson said earlier this year.

People are not allowed to “open a bottle, can or other receptacle containing liquor in a public place,” possess those items in a public place or consume liquor in a public place, according to the Seattle Municipal Code, which cites sections of the RCW.

The scenario with carrying a beer outside a bar can be more complicated. If the beer is in a pint glass, technically you could be committing a minor crime by leaving with the bar’s property.

Best advice is to keep the drinks at the bar. And if you accidentally walk too far outside with one in hand, come back, apologize and tip well.

Thanks to the people who submitted questions. Scroll through a list of previous answers below.